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National's back down on defence disappointing
National's back down on defence disappointing
Rodney Hide Thursday, 4 August 2005
Press Releases - Defence
ACT Leader Rodney Hide said today New Zealanders would be very disappointed that the National Party was adopting Helen Clark's policy of no combat air wing.
"National Defence spokesman John Carter announced National's back down last night on TV One's Close-Up programme. National furiously opposed Helen Clark's destruction of the combat air wing - now they agree with it. Once again, we see National opposing Labour Party policy only to adopt it later.
"The number one duty of any government is to protect New Zealanders. That requires a well-resourced and balanced military capacity that includes a small combat air wing. It also requires collective security with our traditional allies Australia and the USA.
"National has given up on providing for a proper defence force - it's now doubly clear that the only way to get a change of government and change of direction is to Party Cote ACT," Mr Hide said.
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